Enhanced roaming notification of call handoffs

Abstract

A mobile wireless terminal is configured to provide an audible alert to the user in the event of its receipt, while the terminal is on a call, of an indication of an imminent or directed handoff to a carrier or network which would charge the user for roaming. The call is automatically terminated or released within a predetermined time period after the audible alert unless the user performs an act of assent, such as pressing a predetermined key, or speaking a predetermined command, before the expiration of the time period.

1. A wireless terminal that alerts a user of a handoff of a call from a first communication service station to a second communication service station, comprising:
 a receiver that receives a handoff indicating message;  
 a memory containing a collection of acceptable identifiers; and  
 a processor that determines if a received identifier of the second communication service station is at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers and activates a vibrating alert during the call if the received identifier is not at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers.  
 
   
   
     2. The wireless terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the processor automatically terminates the call after activating the vibrating alert if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     3. A wireless terminal that alerts a user of a handoff of a call from a first communication service station to a second communication service station, comprising:
 a receiver that receives a handoff indicating a message;  
 a memory containing a collection of acceptable identifiers; and  
 a processor that determines if a received identifier of the second communication service station is at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers and activates an audible alert during the call if the received identifier is not at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers.  
 
   
   
     4. The wireless terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the processor automatically terminates the call after activating the audible alert if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     5. A method for alerting a wireless terminal user of a handoff of a call from a first communication service station to a second communication service station, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a handoff indicating message;  
 determining, at a wireless terminal, whether a received identifier of the second communication service station is at least one of a collection of acceptable identifiers; and  
 producing a vibrating alert during the call if the received identifier is not at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers.  
 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after producing the vibrating alert if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after a user programmed time if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after a predetermined time if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the call continuation indication is an activation of a key. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying information identifying at least one key as a call continuation indication key. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the call continuation indication is an utterance. 
   
   
     12. A method for alerting a wireless terminal user of a handoff of a call from a first communication service station to a second communication service station, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a handoff indicating message;  
 determining, at a wireless terminal, whether a received identifier of the second communication service station is at least one of a collection of acceptable identifiers; and  
 producing an audible alert during the call if the received identifier is not at least one of the collection of acceptable identifiers.  
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after producing the audible alert if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after a user programmed time if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the call is automatically terminated after a predetermined time if a call continuation indication is not received. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the call continuation indication is an activation of a key. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of displaying information identifying at least one key as a call continuation key. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the call continuation indication is an utterance.